The Denver Broncos have been one of the most successful franchises in NFL history, winning three Super Bowls and providing a legendary list of top players. Today, we attempt to rank the top ten in franchise history.
10. Shannon Sharpe, TE, 1990-1999, 2002-2003
Shannon Sharpe was the most famous tight end of his era, and perhaps the most well-known member of the Broncos’ Super Bowl team's of the ‘90’s besides his quarterback John Elway.
Sharpe compiled 8,439 yards, third in Broncos history. His 55 touchdowns also rank third, while his 675 receptions rank second. He had an impressive 65.7% catch rate, and averaged 12.3 yards-per-reception.
He was a four-time first-team All-Pro selection, won multiple Super Bowls, and he was selected to the NFL Hall of Fame.
9. Tom Jackson, OLB, 1973-1986
Tom Jackson played before tackles were recorded, but if they were being tracked, he would likely be among the Broncos team leaders. He’s already among their leaders in Approximate Value, a stat that attempts to measure overall value to each player. His AV of 109 ranks sixth in Denver history.
Despite only being a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Jackson made his mark. He finished with 40 sacks over 14 seasons, recovered eight fumbles and secured 20 interceptions. He brought in three pick sixes, one in 1976, 1977, and 1978.
8. Champ Bailey, CB, 2004-2013
Champ Bailey was a true champ, who locked down opposing receivers for a decade.
His 34 interceptions rank fourth in Denver history, while his 122 passes defended rank first. Before he arrived in Denver, he was already a star who had accumulated 18 interceptions playing in Washington. With Denver, he was an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro selection.
Bailey led the league with 10 interceptions in 2006, and led all defenders with two pick-sixes in 2005. He is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.
7. Louis Wright, CB, 1975-1986
Louis Wright was one of the great cornerbacks of his era. He snagged 26 interceptions and a pick six over 12 seasons in Dever. He was also a five-time Pro Bowler and twice was a first-team All-Pro selection.
Despite having fewer picks and pick-sixes than Bailey, Wright finished his time with Denver with a higher AV, at 106, compared to Bailey’s 104, which is why he gets the nod over Bailey at seventh.
6. Bill Thompson, SS, 1969-1981
Another great defensive back in Broncos history, Bill Thompson racked up 40 picks, third most in Denver history, over his twelve years there. He also recovered 21 fumbles.
Thompson scored seven touchdowns, making him one of the top defensive scoring threats of all time. He returned four fumbles for touchdowns and returned three pick-sixes.
He was a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and finished his career with 106 AV.
5. Karl Mecklenburg, ILB, 1983-1994
An all-time talent at linebacker, Karl Mecklenburg finished his time in Denver with 1,104 tackles (second all-time), 79 sacks (third), and 114 AV (fifth).
After being a 12th round draft pick, Mecklenburg turned out to be one of the great draft steals of all time. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro selection in his 12 years with Denver.
Mecklenburg was among the top tacklers in the league, but was also a turnover threat. He forced 16 fumbles, recovered 14 fumbles (two of which he returned for touchdowns), and secured five interceptions.
4. Tom Nalen, C, 1994-2007
According to Approximate Value, Tom Nalen is the second most valuable player in Denver Broncos history. His 133 AV ranks second only to the man he protected for five year, John Elway.
Nalen won two Super Bowls with the Broncos, went to five Pro Bowls, and was a three-time All-Pro selection. He started 16 games ten times in his fourteen year career, serving as a workhorse and leader of their offensive line. Despite being a seventh round pick, he made his mark, and is one of the greatest Broncos of all time.
3. Von Miller, OLB, 2011-2021
Von Miller may have been the key piece in the Broncos 2016 Super Bowl win. The linebacker was the captain of the Broncos defense that carried a veteran Peyton Manning to the trophy.
Miller leads Denver all-time with 110.5 sacks, 142 tackles-for-loss, and 225 quarterback hits. He is the active leader in sacks, with 126.5. He also forced 25 fumbles with the Broncos and recovered nine.
Miller was a seven-time All-Pro selection, including a trio of first-team selections. He went on to win another Super Bowl with the Rams, and now plays for the Buffalo Bills. He will likely be a Hall of Famer upon his retirement.
2. Rod Smith, WR, 1995-2006
No wide receiver made more of a mark in Denver than Rod Smith.
His 11,389 receiving yards are first in Denver history, as are his 68 receiving touchdowns. He was a part of the 1997-98 squads that won back-to-back Super Bowls, which saw him become the favorite target of Hall-of-Fame QB John Elway.
Smith averaged 13.4 yard-per-reception and 62.2 yards-per-game. In the post-season he caught six touchdowns and 860 yards. Smith isn’t a Hall of Famer, but according to AV, his should be. In just twelve seasons, he racked up 127 AV, which is third in Broncos history.
1. John Elway, QB, 1983-1998
Before Aaron Rodgers came around, John Elway was known as the guy who threw the prettiest football of all time. Elway was a legendary signal caller and leader for the Broncos.
He checks all the boxes of a legendary quarterback. MVP…yup, 1987. Super Bowls…two of em’, in 1997 and ‘98. Winner? He sure was, with an career record of 148-82-1.
One thing Elway never did was throw thirty touchdowns in a season, but he still tossed 300 in his sixteen year career. He is also the Denver all-time leader in passing yards, with 51,475 yards.
Though he was never the best statistical quarterback, Elway was a proven winner, an all-time great and one of the most talented quarterbacks to ever step on a football field, which is why he claims the top spot on the list.
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